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DuPage District 88 world language leaders highlight new courses, exchanges and biliteracy growth
Summary
Department heads from Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools described new language courses, expansion of dual-credit options, exchange programs and the growing use of the ALTA test that has increased student access to the state seal of biliteracy.
Department heads for world languages at Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools outlined program expansions, student experiences and dual-credit partnerships during the DuPage High School District 88 Board of Education meeting on April 14, 2025.
Katie Strandcarol, Willowbrook world language department head, said the two schools offer four-year sequences in German, heritage Spanish, non-heritage Spanish and French and that Willowbrook piloted Italian I and Arabic I this year. "We had enough participation that we are able to offer level 2 next year, and we're looking forward to growing these programs," Strandcarol said.
Amy Robles, world language department head at Addison Trail, described dual-credit arrangements that allow students to earn college credit. "Most of our dual credit partnerships are through College of DuPage for Spanish and German, but we have a special relationship with Dominican University for Italian," Robles said, noting that Addison Trail’s Italian 3, 4 and AP Italian are available for dual credit through Dominican.
Robles and Strandcarol highlighted a heritage Spanish capstone class, Heritage Spanish Career Fluency (Dual Credit with College of DuPage), which pairs semester-two weekly job shadowing with coursework. "This class was designed for our heritage Spanish population for students who came into our high school with a high level of Spanish proficiency," Robles said.
Both department heads described international exchange programs and recent field trips as major engagement drivers. Strandcarol described a continuing relationship with a high school in Frankfurt through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) and said district students hosted German exchange students last fall and will travel to Germany in June. Robles detailed a sister-city exchange with Triggiano, Italy, and visits by 17 students from the sister city in 2024.
The presenters also noted expansion of pathways to the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy using the ALTA test, which has enabled students who speak home languages not traditionally covered by AP exams to demonstrate proficiency. "Almost everyone who takes it earned something," Strandcarol said, referring to recent test outcomes.
Board members praised the work and encouraged continued partnerships and staffing to expand dual-credit offerings; no formal board action was required on the presentation.
The departments asked for continued administrative support for cultural field trips, dual-credit expansion and community partnerships to sustain program growth.
